How can I (a part of "management") support a worker strike?
December 29, 2019 12:12 AM Subscribe
I work for a large healthcare organization where the nurses and support staff are unionized and the other professions (physicians, etc) are not - the latter includes me. The union has authorized a strike and it's looking like the strike might happen shortly if negotiations don't move in a favorable direction. I want to be supportive of the union and don't want my actions to hamper their efforts.
I have just begun to reach out to the management of my (tiny) department to ask if there is a plan in place. I doubt the management of the department is supportive of the union (they themselves are self-martyring physicians who are pretty apolitical).
Of course I am also very concerned about the effect of a work stoppage on our patients. My work is not life-saving emergency work, but we're in a small subspecialty and there isn't really anyone else in the community the patients can turn to get their needs met. We can make it happen for a few days with a skeleton crew, but if no one is there people will suffer.
My question is... what are the options for a non-union employee in this position? If I want to participate in the strike is there some kind of action I need to take?
I have just begun to reach out to the management of my (tiny) department to ask if there is a plan in place. I doubt the management of the department is supportive of the union (they themselves are self-martyring physicians who are pretty apolitical).
Of course I am also very concerned about the effect of a work stoppage on our patients. My work is not life-saving emergency work, but we're in a small subspecialty and there isn't really anyone else in the community the patients can turn to get their needs met. We can make it happen for a few days with a skeleton crew, but if no one is there people will suffer.
My question is... what are the options for a non-union employee in this position? If I want to participate in the strike is there some kind of action I need to take?
I think what you can do will depend on what you're able to suffer.
Depending on your organizational policies, you could refuse to do the work that unionized staff would usually do (skeleton crew). You may find that there's a clause in your employment that requires you to do so. You might face disciplinary action for that.
You could refuse to cross the picket line and not come in. Some organizations have policies that support that, meaning they don't penalize people for not coming in although they don't pay them (particularly for members of other unions), but they all generally result in a loss of PTO or pay. I've been a non-unionized (though also non-management) member in a unionized environment and this is definitely a thing people do. Not crossing a picket line is a very traditional way of supporting a union.
Some people aren't able to do these things, which IMO is fine. I've seen them bring picketers coffee and snacks, or hand out gift cards to local grocery stores to people on the line. Strike pay is not usually sufficient and so getting involved in practically supporting the workers is a good way to go.
But the bottom line is, a strike's power is in the work not being done and the attention/pressure brought to the bargaining process. There isn't an easy way to support a strike, because a strike is designed specifically to be hard, to bring hardship to the company and to what it does.
I would check with your HR department gently, don't say you want to support the strike, just ask if there are policies in place for non-unionized workers in the event of a strike. Then you'll have a clearer idea of what the issues are.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:15 AM on December 29, 2019 [7 favorites]
Depending on your organizational policies, you could refuse to do the work that unionized staff would usually do (skeleton crew). You may find that there's a clause in your employment that requires you to do so. You might face disciplinary action for that.
You could refuse to cross the picket line and not come in. Some organizations have policies that support that, meaning they don't penalize people for not coming in although they don't pay them (particularly for members of other unions), but they all generally result in a loss of PTO or pay. I've been a non-unionized (though also non-management) member in a unionized environment and this is definitely a thing people do. Not crossing a picket line is a very traditional way of supporting a union.
Some people aren't able to do these things, which IMO is fine. I've seen them bring picketers coffee and snacks, or hand out gift cards to local grocery stores to people on the line. Strike pay is not usually sufficient and so getting involved in practically supporting the workers is a good way to go.
But the bottom line is, a strike's power is in the work not being done and the attention/pressure brought to the bargaining process. There isn't an easy way to support a strike, because a strike is designed specifically to be hard, to bring hardship to the company and to what it does.
I would check with your HR department gently, don't say you want to support the strike, just ask if there are policies in place for non-unionized workers in the event of a strike. Then you'll have a clearer idea of what the issues are.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:15 AM on December 29, 2019 [7 favorites]
You should talk to the unionized workers and their union's staff about the best way to support the strike. You should try to act collectively (with other supportive employees who aren't in the union) to demonstrate your support. If you act collectively you will be have greater protection against any possible retaliation from your employer, both under the law, and because your employer needs you and can't fire everyone.
Other steps you can take, in addition to whatever the unionized staff suggest:
•Wear buttons or post signs supporting the strike, possibly calling out your category of staff eg "Other Professions Stand with Nurses On Strike for Patient Care and a Fair Contract"
• Support the picket line including walking the line with strikers when you can, honking when you drive by, bringing/sending beverages and snacks
•Start/sign on to a petition supporting the workers
• Write a letter to your local paper/blog or post on active local Facebook groups
• Change your social media profile pic to something showing support for the strikers (they may provide a "frame" or you can just post a picture of yourself holding a sign)
• Post on social media about why you support the strike as someone who works there, and patiently answer questions from your friends
• If there is a strike/solidarity fund, donate to it, tell people you donated, and encourage others to do the same
• Talk to your coworkers and community members about why you support the strike
posted by cushie at 7:30 AM on December 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
Other steps you can take, in addition to whatever the unionized staff suggest:
•Wear buttons or post signs supporting the strike, possibly calling out your category of staff eg "Other Professions Stand with Nurses On Strike for Patient Care and a Fair Contract"
• Support the picket line including walking the line with strikers when you can, honking when you drive by, bringing/sending beverages and snacks
•Start/sign on to a petition supporting the workers
• Write a letter to your local paper/blog or post on active local Facebook groups
• Change your social media profile pic to something showing support for the strikers (they may provide a "frame" or you can just post a picture of yourself holding a sign)
• Post on social media about why you support the strike as someone who works there, and patiently answer questions from your friends
• If there is a strike/solidarity fund, donate to it, tell people you donated, and encourage others to do the same
• Talk to your coworkers and community members about why you support the strike
posted by cushie at 7:30 AM on December 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
You can donate to the strike fund probably, and you can also bring them tea. (I did this for a nurse's strike and they were so grateful!)
posted by DarlingBri at 7:30 AM on December 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 7:30 AM on December 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Be aware that there may be legal limits to what you can do, especially since you work in health care and even more so if you supervise staff who belong to the relevant union. I wouldn't dismiss what you hear from management as anti-union out of hand - follow up and ask if there are legal limits to your options. I would expect the union organizing the strike to be able to answer this as well (they may have info sheets made up) and would be quite unlikely to give you bad information, you can compare what you hear from each group.
For example: I work for a university that was facing a strike of support staff. My boss supervised an employee in that bargaining unit, and wasn't allowed to ask folks if they were planning to strike or not. I was required by my contract to cross picket lines if necessary to perform my job, but not to do work that would ordinarily be done by striking workers, and bringing strikers snacks and showing support was okay. Laws can vary state to state and health care often has special obligations to provide service.
posted by momus_window at 8:30 AM on December 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
For example: I work for a university that was facing a strike of support staff. My boss supervised an employee in that bargaining unit, and wasn't allowed to ask folks if they were planning to strike or not. I was required by my contract to cross picket lines if necessary to perform my job, but not to do work that would ordinarily be done by striking workers, and bringing strikers snacks and showing support was okay. Laws can vary state to state and health care often has special obligations to provide service.
posted by momus_window at 8:30 AM on December 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
Yay! Love to see your solidarity. Cushie gave a great list above. If they have a a button or sticker campaign going already ask someone for one to stick on your badge or lanyard as a first step. Some comments above suggest you talk to the union about what they want, a good way to achieve that in actual terms is to look for the person who is visibly union (they are wearing the button/t-shirt/etc) and ask them who is the person to ask about the contract campaign - not the union staffer - the member who is actively involved. They will hopefully point you to the member leader who is on the bargaining team or whatnot who can give you more specific ideas.
Regarding patient care: strikes in healthcare are complicated for the reasons you mention. But it's also part of why healthcare remains a more unionized sector than others. We have power because the work we do is so essential. While teachers are not an exact parallel, they share many of the same issues: if the teachers aren't there, the kids DO suffer. We in healthcare and education are mission driven people who do this becuase we care for people. But like the recently re-vitalized teachers unions, healthcare labor actions ultimately benefit our patients. Striking for the public good is what these kinds of labor actions are ultimately about and they're even more important than worker rights, but also encompass the rights of the whole community to receive quality, safe healthcare. Here's a good article on the latest Chicago teacher's strike and their wins for the public good.
It's really heartening to hear your desire to support the union. Thanks for posting this question!
posted by latkes at 9:46 AM on December 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Regarding patient care: strikes in healthcare are complicated for the reasons you mention. But it's also part of why healthcare remains a more unionized sector than others. We have power because the work we do is so essential. While teachers are not an exact parallel, they share many of the same issues: if the teachers aren't there, the kids DO suffer. We in healthcare and education are mission driven people who do this becuase we care for people. But like the recently re-vitalized teachers unions, healthcare labor actions ultimately benefit our patients. Striking for the public good is what these kinds of labor actions are ultimately about and they're even more important than worker rights, but also encompass the rights of the whole community to receive quality, safe healthcare. Here's a good article on the latest Chicago teacher's strike and their wins for the public good.
It's really heartening to hear your desire to support the union. Thanks for posting this question!
posted by latkes at 9:46 AM on December 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Inevitably, your job is going to get harder because of the strike. I think one of the most supportive things you can do is to avoid talking negatively about the strike or the striking workers, and if you feel comfortable doing so, reframing the strike when you hear colleagues talk about it negatively to you. How you talk to patients about it might be restricted by your employer.
I'm guessing you are in Washington state? Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to chat more specifically. I am a member of one of the unions that voted to strike, but I do not work at a facility affected directly by the strike vote.
posted by adiabat at 12:22 PM on December 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
I'm guessing you are in Washington state? Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to chat more specifically. I am a member of one of the unions that voted to strike, but I do not work at a facility affected directly by the strike vote.
posted by adiabat at 12:22 PM on December 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
I’ve been on both sides (union member and management) leading up to possible strikes. There are likely strike plans you aren’t aware of that aren’t being shared beyond management and anyone who needs to know before the strike begins.
Unions often have hardship funds for striking workers. You could contribute to that (anonymously is fine). You could give coffee gift cards to co-workers too.
You can also tell potential strikers that you know it’s a stressful time and you’re pulling for them.
It maybe doesn’t matter what your management thinks, most likely. They probably can’t really express support for a strike (I was a manager in a place where many of my unit’s managers were quite supportive of the workers getting a better contract, but there wasn’t really a way for them to say this; they did their advocating behind the scenes).
posted by bluedaisy at 1:19 PM on December 29, 2019
Unions often have hardship funds for striking workers. You could contribute to that (anonymously is fine). You could give coffee gift cards to co-workers too.
You can also tell potential strikers that you know it’s a stressful time and you’re pulling for them.
It maybe doesn’t matter what your management thinks, most likely. They probably can’t really express support for a strike (I was a manager in a place where many of my unit’s managers were quite supportive of the workers getting a better contract, but there wasn’t really a way for them to say this; they did their advocating behind the scenes).
posted by bluedaisy at 1:19 PM on December 29, 2019
Disruption and interfering with (non-critical) patient care is the goal. Not getting patient needs met is part of the strategy. It's shitty for your patients, but probably better for the world in the long run. People will suffer. Hopefully more people will suffer less in the future.
Bring a box of donuts to the strikers and smile at them and tell them you're management but you unofficially support them as you cross the picket line. If you feel comfortable doing so, explain to your patients why this incredibly annoying thing will eventually improve their care. Donate to the strike fund.
Wildcat solidarity strikes by management is a bold move. Cheers if you're willing to get fired over this, but don't go into it expecting another outcome. Best of luck! (I'm also management, but not decision-making management, at a union-busting institution at the moment. It's hard. Many of us are trying to change things from the inside. I'm not sure it's working.)
posted by eotvos at 2:26 PM on December 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Bring a box of donuts to the strikers and smile at them and tell them you're management but you unofficially support them as you cross the picket line. If you feel comfortable doing so, explain to your patients why this incredibly annoying thing will eventually improve their care. Donate to the strike fund.
Wildcat solidarity strikes by management is a bold move. Cheers if you're willing to get fired over this, but don't go into it expecting another outcome. Best of luck! (I'm also management, but not decision-making management, at a union-busting institution at the moment. It's hard. Many of us are trying to change things from the inside. I'm not sure it's working.)
posted by eotvos at 2:26 PM on December 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Great advice above re asking the union how you can help, making sure you understand the legal parameters, and doing practical things like donating to the strike fund, bringing coffee, and wearing buttons/stickers if you can. Nobody expects you to risk your own livelihood over this but shows of support will be appreciated.
When my professional union was on strike a few years ago, the best thing others did to support us was simply refraining from turning themselves inside out to make the system run smoothly without us. If you can stick closely to your own job description and let the tasks normally performed by the strikers fall by the wayside without seriously harming anyone, please do so.
If you need to come to work as normal, arrive at your usual time and notify your supervisor if picket lines will cause delays (rather than, for example, arriving before dawn to avoid them). If you get sick during the strike and you would normally stay home, don't force yourself to come to work to cover.
The bottom line is that the more immediate pain the employer feels in a situation like this, the more public pressure they will feel and the shorter the strike will be. That is better for everyone.
posted by rpfields at 3:12 PM on December 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
When my professional union was on strike a few years ago, the best thing others did to support us was simply refraining from turning themselves inside out to make the system run smoothly without us. If you can stick closely to your own job description and let the tasks normally performed by the strikers fall by the wayside without seriously harming anyone, please do so.
If you need to come to work as normal, arrive at your usual time and notify your supervisor if picket lines will cause delays (rather than, for example, arriving before dawn to avoid them). If you get sick during the strike and you would normally stay home, don't force yourself to come to work to cover.
The bottom line is that the more immediate pain the employer feels in a situation like this, the more public pressure they will feel and the shorter the strike will be. That is better for everyone.
posted by rpfields at 3:12 PM on December 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
Disruption and interfering with (non-critical) patient care is the goal.
A close relative of mine ran a hospital in NY a few decades back when the nurses went on strike. The nurses’ union worked closely, behind the scenes, with administration to make sure patient care was not interrupted. They specifically did not picket in front of certain doors to make sure temporary hires (scabs, if you will) could enter the building without crossing a picket line and without hassle.
Yes, strikes disrupt work, and that is the point. But my experience (as a union member and manager) has been that people about go on strike are deeply concerned about their jobs and the potential impacts.
Generally speaking, it’s probably safe to assume workers do not want to strike and are deeply concerned about the disruption their lives and their work.
posted by bluedaisy at 5:57 PM on December 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
A close relative of mine ran a hospital in NY a few decades back when the nurses went on strike. The nurses’ union worked closely, behind the scenes, with administration to make sure patient care was not interrupted. They specifically did not picket in front of certain doors to make sure temporary hires (scabs, if you will) could enter the building without crossing a picket line and without hassle.
Yes, strikes disrupt work, and that is the point. But my experience (as a union member and manager) has been that people about go on strike are deeply concerned about their jobs and the potential impacts.
Generally speaking, it’s probably safe to assume workers do not want to strike and are deeply concerned about the disruption their lives and their work.
posted by bluedaisy at 5:57 PM on December 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
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posted by nebulawindphone at 5:28 AM on December 29, 2019 [4 favorites]